Once (again)

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: the fact that Liam Gallagher came out as the driving artistic solo force in the post-Oasis era, despite the fact that his brother Noel had been the mastermind behind their historically successful run as a band, was a surprise to me. And, I believe, to many others: Liam was seen as the brash singer with an attitude, while his brother was the musician quietly crafting the pair’s music in relative obscurity. I say ‘relative’, because he was still a rock star, simply of a quieter kind than his younger sibling.

Then, Noel started releasing his solo work, and it was good; then Liam followed suit and it was OK; then Noel started getting into somewhat more heavily produced material while Liam perfected his personal approach to music: simpler than Noel’s, yet arguably as efficient as Oasis’ former (morning) glory. Thus happened that interesting switch: solo Liam grew into Oasis-type sounds, while his brother moved further away from them. Arguably, to his disservice: Oasis was f**king great…

Then came “Once”, Liam’s latest single from Why Me? Why Not., his second solo album released last year.

The song appeared along with its very own music video a few days ago on Youtube, the last day of January 2020 to be precise (if anyone cares to know…). Interestingly, that footage significantly adds to the impact of the song:

1) it is a beautifully shot single take-type video with very scenographic angles and sequences (good timing, with single-take movie 1917 having won half of this year’s movie awards across the globe);

2) it is eerily reminiscent of the late great John Lennon’s video for “Imagine”, in which a house is shown that looks quite a bit like the one in “Once”, complete with an equally grand piano;

3) it features French former soccer player and Manchester United star-turned actor Eric Cantona in the lead, as he asks his butler — played by Liam himself — for more wine, strolls around his mansion, sits at his piano, puts on a cape and crown and leaves in a car driven by… you guessed it, Liam again.

Cantona’s participation is just icing on the cake, to be honest: the song is great, with ever more subtle arrangements (think beautifully atmospheric violins), an infectious melody and a sense of gravitas that is become increasingly associated with the new and improved, more mature artist that has become Mr Liam Gallagher.

Please continue, Sir…